“You brought her away.

You can make different choices from here.”

I had called the counselor on Rachel’s list that morning.

Grace’s first appointment was scheduled for later in the week.

I wasn’t hoping a therapist would erase her memories.

I wanted her to have one room where she could be nine years old and say whatever she felt without protecting me.

On the way home, Grace asked whether we could stop at the library.

She chose three chapter books and a beginner’s guide to astronomy.